Early scoring and solid defense are a combination that works in any part of the season, but is especially potent in late October.

As the defense neutralized the best threat for Saratoga the Albany boy soccer team scored three first half goals and Falcon topped the Blue Streaks, 3-1, at St. Rose’s Pulmeri Sports Complex in the Section II tournament on Monday.

“We knew they were never going to quit and we knew they were going to keep fighting,” Albany head coach Dave Weiss said about the importance of building a lead against Saratoga. “Some teams we play kind of pack it in when we get ahead, but we really needed to get in front and use it tonight.”

Albany took the lead at 32:30 when Thang Moung scored and forged a 3-0 edge on a pair of Stefano Sainato goals all coming on through passes.

“We have guys that can run the ball down and then finish when they get a chance,” Sainato said. “We have been doing it all year, but here is where is when we really need to get it done.”

Albany senior Seamus Daniels was employed with the task of shadowing Saratoga’s Syracuse-bound Morgan Smith. Daniels held the Blue Streak’s leading scorer without a goal and only a handful of opportunities.

“He is such a good player, but I had to be up to the task. This is sectionals,” Daniels said. “He is their main play maker, so we needed to take him out to take them out. We just want to get back out there and win.”

The Falcons move on to play Guilderland, with a place in the sectional final four on the line, today. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Pulmeri, but a scheduling conflict may move it to Schenectady High School.

“The boys are ready mentally and physically. At this level you have to execute and hope for a little luck. Hopefully, lady luck is on our side,” Weiss said. “Would I like a longer turnaround? Sure, but this is how it is.”